All 4 theme parks and extra are closing at Walt Disney World because of Hurricane Milton. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom received’t reopen till after the storm passes Orlando. Moreover, there are different closures, adjustments, and cancellations by way of a minimum of Friday, October 10, 2024. This publish gives a rundown of all operational updates to Central Florida sights.
With regard to the storm system itself, Hurricane Milton hit Class 5 storm system with 180 mph winds on Monday, however weakened in a single day to Class 4 in a single day. The middle of the storm is forecast to make landfall alongside the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night time, and transfer throughout central Florida by way of Thursday. The system has slowed down since yesterday, ensuing within the delayed-arrival as contrasted with earlier forecasts–which additionally explains why Central Florida theme parks have dragged their ft on asserting closures.
As of two p.m. on October 8, the Nationwide Hurricane Middle said that Milton is as soon as once more growing in energy and measurement, and is near Class 5 energy with maximum-sustained winds at 155 mph positioned 520 miles southwest of Tampa transferring east-northeast at 8 mph. The Nationwide Hurricane Middle warns that Milton is a probably catastrophic hurricane on the prime of its wind scale, and probably the most harmful hurricanes on report for west-central Florida.
Moreover, all of Walt Disney World is now beneath a hurricane warning, as each Osceola and Orange Counties have been upgraded from watch standing to fully-fledged hurricane warnings.
Right here’s our newest take a look at all the closures at Walt Disney World, Orlando Airports, and different theme parks in Central Florida…
Walt Disney World Closures & Cancellations for Hurricane Milton
Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom theme parks will shut early because of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, October 9:
- Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will shut at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will shut at 2 p.m.
It’s doubtless that each one 4 Walt Disney World theme parks will stay closed on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Walt Disney World will contemplate opening Disney Springs on Thursday within the late afternoon, with restricted choices.
Though not formally introduced, don’t be shocked if some third occasion companies at Disney Springs shut earlier on Wednesday and don’t reopen till in a while Friday (or in any respect), even when the remainder of Disney Springs does resume operations.
At the moment, all 4 theme parks are scheduled to reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024, however the schedule is topic to vary.
There’s additionally previous precedent for Walt Disney World reopening areas solely to on-site resort company, so that would occur on October 10 if Hurricane Milton passes shortly and Central Florida emerges comparatively unscathed.
If the perfect case state of affairs (hopefully!) performs out, it wouldn’t shock us if EPCOT reopens on Thursday night time for resort company, adopted by the opposite parks later within the day or on Saturday and Sunday. Having Disney Springs up and operating on Thursday night could be a superb comfort prize, too.
It’ll be fascinating to see what occurs with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration at Magic Kingdom and Halloween Horror Nights on Friday. This are big-money occasions for Disney and Common that they received’t wish to cancel, but it surely could be robust to get all the pieces again up and operating–and correctly staffed–by then. (No precise perception right here–only a potential non-best case state of affairs.)
Every time the parks do reopen, don’t be shocked if sure sights don’t reopen straight away. Something with numerous timber is an apparent candidate for a chronic closure. If I recall accurately, it took Jungle Cruise a few days after Hurricane Irma to reopen.
It could be an identical story with trails and sights in Animal Kingdom, or the park as a complete, if there are staggered reopenings. Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom is one other such space, and there received’t be an enormous sense of urgency to get that space reopened because it’s much less well-liked.
Outdoors the parks, there could be resorts which are out of fee fully or have areas closed off because of downed timber. Fort Wilderness is the obvious instance, however not the one one–many resorts have numerous timber. It’s an identical story with the Port Orleans Resorts, Wilderness Lodge, and so on.
Together with this, the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration scheduled for Thursday, October 10 is cancelled. Company with pre-purchased occasion tickets for this occasion will robotically obtain a full refund for the occasion tickets.
Be aware: Experiences we’ve heard about transferring Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration tickets to a special offered out date had been very blended when it got here to the Hurricane Helene cancellations a pair weeks in the past.
The most effective possibilities of success are when switching to the October 11 occasion, which is smart each for company and for Disney, as they’re prone to have a ton of cancellations for that MNSSHP. As there’s no formally printed coverage, your mileage might fluctuate.
Transportation – Walt Disney World Transportation will cease working on Wednesday, October 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks shut. Restricted Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will probably be accessible to Walt Disney World Resort Company.
Reservations for Eating and Different Experiences – Efficient instantly, Walt Disney World is not going to implement cancellation insurance policies till additional discover for eating and different experiences.
Pay as you go bookable experiences will probably be robotically refunded inside 7 to 10 enterprise days.
Recreation – Disney’s Storm Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will probably be closed on Wednesday, October 9. Disney’s Blizzard Seashore water park stays closed for deliberate refurbishment.
There aren’t any occasions deliberate for ESPN Vast World of Sports activities Complicated till the weekend.
The next ‘rustic resorts’ will briefly shut starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Cascade Cabins at Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are prone to stay closed till Sunday, October 13, 2024. The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will doubtless reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue performances have been canceled October 9-10 in gentle of the short-term closure of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Company with pre-paid reservations will probably be robotically canceled and refunded.
Eating places in resorts will proceed to function in choose places with availability topic to vary.
Moreover, Walt Disney World is permitting adjustments and cancellations with no penalties for company arriving between now and Monday, October 14, 2024. This is applicable to reservations booked by the Walt Disney Journey Firm or Disney Locations, LLC. (In different phrases, should you booked by way of Walt Disney World immediately–both by cellphone or Disneyworld.com–you’re eligible. Similar goes for reservations booked through an Approved Disney Trip Planner or journey agent.)
Most space-only and trip packages will be modified, or cancelled on-line, together with adjustments to journey dates, with out charges. Packages together with air transportation or different providers offered by third events, or these with journey safety, can’t be modified or cancelled on-line. Company with these reservations might want to name Walt Disney World for help. (Anticipate longer-than-normal maintain instances.)
As a consequence of Hurricane Milton, Common Orlando Resort is making the next operational adjustments for Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10, 2024:
- On Wednesday, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Common CityWalk will probably be open till 2 p.m. and will probably be closed all-day on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
- Common Volcano Bay will probably be closed all day on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios Florida is cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday nights
- Common lodges stay operational as they concentrate on taking good care of company.
Be aware that hours of operation are topic to vary primarily based on forecast alterations and a few attraction and expertise availability could also be restricted on Wednesday as we put together for an early closure.
Common Orlando Resort anticipates a full reopening, together with Halloween Horror Nights, on October 11, 2024 at regular working hours pending the end result of storm impacts.
Elsewhere round Central Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Resort will probably be closed Wednesday and Thursday because of Hurricane Milton. This closure additionally consists of Peppa Pig Theme Park.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort will probably be OPEN in a restricted capability, together with to company with present reservations.
As a result of projected path of Hurricane Milton, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove parks have enacted its Named Storm Coverage and will probably be briefly closed on:
- Busch Gardens Tampa is CLOSED on Tuesday, October eighth, Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth. Howl-O-Scream is cancelled for Thursday, October 10. Tickets could also be used for any remaining Howl-O-Scream occasion nights.
- Journey Island stays operating on its seasonal schedule with out adjustments right now. Please examine social media for updates concerning park opening on Friday, October 11.
- SeaWorld Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. SeaWorld Orlando will probably be CLOSED on Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth.
- Aquatica Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. Aquatica will probably be CLOSED on Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth.
All date-intended tickets for closure days have been prolonged by way of December 31, 2024 and requires no motion to be taken. Precautions are in place following the parks’ complete climate preparedness plan to make sure the protection of animals and ambassadors throughout this time. Company are inspired to examine again on our web site and comply with our social media channels for updates. Keep tuned for data concerning reopening following the storm on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Orlando Worldwide Airport introduced that it’s going to stop industrial passenger and personal operations because of Hurricane Milton beginning at 8 am on October 9, 2024. MCO itself is NOT closed and can stay open to just accept emergency/support and reduction flights as mandatory.
At the moment, MCO is predicted to renew operations on Friday, after assessing all harm to airport property and services. Orlando Worldwide Airport notes the time for the reopening is “fluid” and topic to vary. It might occur sooner–or later–relying upon Hurricane Milton’s depth and impacts in Orlando.
Per Orlando Worldwide Airport’s official @MCO Twitter account, key airport, airline, and federal company representatives will proceed monitoring the climate and decide whether or not any future closures could also be mandatory.
We don’t have a lot so as to add right here. Hurricane Milton is at the moment a significant Class 4 system, and is prone to make landfall south of Tampa Bay on Wednesday night time with a path taking it proper by way of Central Florida on Thursday–immediately in direction of the vacationer hall and Walt Disney World. Governor DeSantis has warned of catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge in areas of Florida, with impacts far broader than the place of the attention makes landfall.
Finally, if you’re at Walt Disney World, be protected. Take this significantly, in your personal sake and that of Solid Members and different company. As correct as storm forecasting has turn into, it’s nonetheless not 100% sure. It’s solely acceptable for Walt Disney World to prioritize human life and security, erring on the aspect of warning and shutting the parks, relocating company, and canceling leisure. Right here’s hoping this passes shortly and with minimal harm and hurt, and Walt Disney World can resume regular operations on October 11, 2024. We’ll preserve you posted both means!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Motels Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces that you must know!
Your Ideas
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